Understanding loneliness in young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis
Official title: Pathways to Loneliness in First-Episode Psychosis: Testing the Sociodevelopmental Model
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11161950 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feeling lonely affects young people aged 14-30 who are going through their first episode of psychosis, and it hopes to find ways to help them feel better and recover by understanding their daily experiences with loneliness and stigma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MH140381-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161950 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young individuals aged 14-30 who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 14-30 or those who have not experienced a first episode of psychosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how feelings of loneliness affect young individuals aged 14-30 who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis. It aims to understand the relationship between loneliness, stigma, and the severity of psychotic symptoms through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. By using advanced data collection techniques, the study will analyze daily experiences of loneliness and stigma, providing insights into how these factors influence recovery. The goal is to identify ways to improve mental health outcomes for these individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better support strategies for young people with psychosis, ultimately improving their mental health and recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing loneliness and stigma can significantly improve mental health outcomes in similar populations, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grunfeld, Gil — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Grunfeld, Gil
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Psychosis in diverse settings across the world
This project studies how psychotic disorders show up and respond to treatment in adults with diverse backgrounds, including populations in Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings.
-
Psychosis in Diverse Settings: Understanding Symptoms and Treatment Across Global South
A human-facing study will look at how psychotic disorders present and respond to treatment in adults from Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings, using genetic and clinical data.
-
A new online brain-scan-style tool to spot early psychosis risk
A new online-based set of tasks and a computer model aims to identify people at high risk for developing psychosis earlier and more accurately.
-
Genetic clues for early-onset psychosis in Latino youth
This project looks at the genes of young people with early-onset psychosis and compares them with similar youths without psychosis to find genetic factors that contribute to the illness.
-
Biomarkers to tailor rehab for Veterans with schizophrenia
A clinician-scientist is developing a brain-based biomarker to guide personalized rehabilitation for Veterans with schizophrenia.
-
Computational analysis of facial expression in early psychosis
Aims to develop computer-based measures of facial expression in people at risk for or with schizophrenia to help track symptoms and guide future trials.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.